Last weekend we rode a total of close to a hundred miles. Nice size groups both days. The weather was just about perfect as well. Although, I must say, I prefer 80s. But, the low 70s worked.
Saturday was almost a Hammerfest. We did the group fave Fort Pickens Route. The pace was moderate across 3 Mile Bridge and through Gulf Breeze. We even just cruised out to the gate at the park. However, once through the kiosk, (What was the deal with only the Pass holder and 3 extra riders on the same pass? It seems like there is no set rule on that. I know on a Full Moon Ride one night it was the Pass holder plus 6 riders.), the pace quickened quite a bit with Dana "The Animal" Foster and Josh "Danger" Sharpe the main instigators. (Question: Does Dana live in the Animal House? Just asking)
About where the new pavement begins, the Young Jedi Nathan went to the front and decided to do his version of a suicide pull. I mean the boy cranked it up and just kept on going and going...No, he didn't look like the Energizer Bunny. However, Dana, who was second wheel got out his imaginary bullwhip and starting cracking it as if to say, "Yeehaa, keep it going ya dobie!" He cracked that bullwhip for at least a full kilometer! Please note: no riders were harmed it the making of this ride. It was all computer generated bullwhipping.
As we approached the Fort and the Brick Wall Sprint, big Clydesdale Tim "Crusher" Fox put the hammer down in what was to be a fantastic leadout for The Vortex who took the sprint and the Sprint Leader's Jersey, ripping it from the shoulders of Gianni Bugno. (Tim's new nickname is out of respect for the two bottom brackets that he has obliterated in the last four months.) We soft pedaled to the docks and enjoyed some snacks and conversation. Gianni had to ride home topless as he no longer had his Sprint Leader's Jersey. The peloton was relieved to discover that Gianni has been working out and no longer in need of a Manzeirre. Beautiful day!
On the way back east out of the Park, Left Lane and The Animal decided to get a bit frisky and led the group at a pace that didn't drop below the mid 20s. When they got tired, Keith "Big Motor" Irwin showed us all how to increase the pace for the rest of the way. Needless to say, (I will anyway), we all were "absolutely on the rivet", (I'm using my best Paul Sherwen accent here) Up over the bridge and through Gulf Breeze to the stop light just before the 3 Mile Bridge where we regrouped. Over 3 Mile Bridge with a tailwind and home. Great ride!
Carol Ann Chandler is once again awarded the weekly SheBeast Award. Great job Carol Ann! Somebody needs to think of a nickname for her. And, speaking of nicknames, The Foxinator flatted at the top of the hump on 3 Mile Bridge on the way back! Right at the top! Rusty "The Mayor" Rood stopped his big dually and they threw the bike in the back and Tim in the front...or was it the other way around?! Tim was grateful for the ride.
Sunday we had a good group for what is becoming the standard route for Sunday afternoons...The Manzierre Loop: Home of the Bro. This 25 to 30 miler was aptly named by our own Left Lane who one Thursday evening last Summer spotted...well, uh...how do you say? It was...hmmm...there were two actually, uh...perhaps, you should just ask Left Lane for an explanation. Nice ride with our typical stop at the end of Palafox to take in the view.
Great rides? Yep, and we have plenty more on the horizon, starting tonight! Check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogulation for all the details!
Oh yeah...it's time to ride!!!
See you out on the road,
Bob
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